A Love Turned Into Strangers
Aarav stood near the entrance, tall and composed. His expression is calm... controlled.
But his eyes...
The moment they met Meera's something flickered inside them.
Recognition.
Meera stood frozen.
Her fingers tightened around the edge of her saree. Her chest rose slowly as she tried to breathe normally.
It's him...After all these years.Her vision blurred slightly.
Tears gathered in her eyes... quietly.
But she refused to let them fall.
Not here.Not in front of everyone.
Beside her.
Ruchika noticed immediately.
"Meera...?" she whispered, confused.
Meera didn't answer.Her eyes were locked on Aarav like the world had stopped moving.
Ruchika followed her gaze.
"Who is that?" she asked quietly.
Before Meera could respond,
Veer's expression changed.
Completely.
His playful smile disappeared.He recognized the man instantly.
"...Aarav Oberoi." Veer said slowly.
Ruchika blinked.
"Wait... that Aarav Oberoi?" she whispered in disbelief.
Veer nodded.But his eyes moved toward Meera again.Then he lowered his voice.
"Not just that." he said softly.
Ruchika frowned."What do you mean?"
"That's Aarav... the owner of the house where Meera works."Veer sighed quietly.
Ruchika's eyes widened.
But Veer continued,
"And... Meera's first love." he added carefully.
"What, he is that person?!"Ruchika froze.
Her head snapped toward Meera immediately.But Meera didn't hear them.
Her entire world was standing at the entrance of the hall.
Aarav hadn't moved yet.His eyes were still fixed on her.
There was a silent question in them.
Why are you here?Why didn't you tell me?Why do you look the same... yet completely different? Too beautiful or too handsome?
Then suddenly.
Vikram Oberoi stepped forward with a warm smile.
"Aarav!" he said proudly.
The moment broke.
Aarav blinked once and his expression returned to calm professionalism.
Omkar walked beside his father.His hands in his pockets.
His gaze is sharp.
He noticed something interesting immediately.Aarav had been looking in one direction for far too long.
Omkar followed his cousin's gaze across the hall.
And saw
Meera.
A slow smirk appeared on his lips.
There it is.The reaction he was waiting for.
Vikram placed a welcoming hand on Aarav's shoulder.
"Welcome back.It's good to finally see you here after so long." he said warmly.
"Thank you, uncle."Aarav nodded politely.
His voice was calm... smooth... controlled.
Omkar noticed Aarav's expression.
"So this is the famous Aarav Oberoi." Omkar said casually, extending his hand.
Aarav looked at him.Then shook his hand firmly.
"And you must be Omkar. Finally we were able to meet after so long!!" Aarav replied. Omkar was his mom's cousin son.They had spend a good time in past.
Their handshake was polite.
But there was something beneath it.
Something unreadable.Two powerful personalities measuring each other silently.
"Yeah. We cannot I able to meet . We just met a few times . We whenever we do it. We enjoyed it a lot. But Then we ship another place and can't meet like that. Now come. There are several people eager to meet you."He gestured toward a group of businessmen waiting nearby.
"This partnership is going to make great success for us."Vikram said to Vishwanath.
Aarav nodded professionally.
"Of course."Vishwanath said.
Vikram began guiding them across the hall, introducing him to different business leaders.
"This is Mr. Sharma, chairman of Veritas Group."
"A pleasure," Aarav said politely.
"And this is Mr. Mehta one of our oldest partners."
Conversations about investments, expansion plans, and international deals quickly began.
But despite the discussions...Aarav's attention drifted.Across the hall.
To her.
Meanwhile...
Meera stood completely still.
Ruchika grabbed her arm gently.
"Meera... what is going on?Are you alright?" she whispered urgently.
Meera swallowed hard.
"...Aarav. He ..."Her voice barely came out.
Ruchika looked between them again.
The way Meera looked at him like she might collapse.
"Oh my god...This is that Aarav?"" Ruchika whispered.
"Yes, Ruchi .."Veer nodded quietly.
Ruchika stared at Meera.
"The one you used to talk about...?"
Meera finally blinked.A tear escaped the corner of her eye before she quickly wiped it away.
"Yes."Meera said.
Across the hall...
Omkar stood beside Aarav and the businessmen.But his eyes slowly moved toward Meera again.
His smirk deepened.Now this party just became interesting.
He leaned slightly closer to Aarav and murmured quietly..
"Tell me something, Aarav...Do you know that girl standing there?"
Aarav turned slightly toward Meera.
Omkar's eyes glinted.
"Yes." his voice remained calm.
"I thought so."Omkar smiled slowly.
Vikram Thakur stood confidently beside Aarav and Vishwanath, explaining their upcoming partnership with a small circle of businessmen.
Vikram gestured calmly as he spoke.
"Gentlemen,this collaboration will open international markets for both companies ." he said with a proud smile.
One of the businessmen nodded thoughtfully.
"International markets?Which regions are you planning to enter first?" he asked.
Vikram chuckled lightly.
"Well... Aarav has already been working on several overseas expansions,that part is mostly Aarav's idea."
He placed a hand briefly on Aarav's shoulder.
Another businessman looked impressed.
"At such a young age?That's quite remarkable." he said.
Aarav gave a polite nod.
"Thank you," he replied calmly.
"We're currently exploring opportunities in Singapore and Dubai."Aarav said.
Vishwanath smiled proudly.
"Yes,and if everything goes according to plan, we'll announce the first phase very soon." he added.
The businessmen murmured with interest.
"That's impressive .Excellent timing in the market ." he said.
Aarav listened quietly, occasionally responding with calmprofessionalism.
But every few seconds...
His eyes drifted.To Meera Sharma.
She stood beside Ruchika and Veer.
Frozen.
Meanwhile...
Omkar noticed everything.
The way Aarav's gaze kept wandering.
The way Meera looked like the ground beneath her feet had disappeared.
Interesting...He leaned slightly toward his father.
"Dad," he said quietly.
"Yes?"Vikram glanced at him.
Omkar's eyes briefly shifted toward Meera.
"I want to meet Aarav someone ."
For a split second
Vikram understood immediately.
His gaze followed Omkar's line of sight.
A small knowing smile appeared on his face.
"Go. You two young and young people should enjoy the party too more then us ." Vikram said calmly.
Then he added with amusement,
"Exactly my thought."Omkar chuckled softly.
Then he turned toward Aarav.
"Come with me," Omkar said smoothly.
"Where are you taking me?"Aarav looked at him briefly.
Omkar shrugged casually."There's someone I want you to meet."
Aarav raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Oh?"
But he nodded."Alright. Now let's go.."
And here..
Ruchika kept glancing between Meera and the group of businessmen across the hall.
Finally she leaned closer.
"Meera..." she whispered.
"Yes?"Meera swallowed.
Ruchika studied her face carefully.
"Why do you look like you've just seen a ghost?" Ruchika said.
"I don't."Meera immediately looked away.
"Yes, she does."Veer snorted beside them.
"Veer, please. It's not time to joke like that."Meera turned sharply.
He crossed his arms casually and said,
"I'm just stating facts."
Ruchika nudged him."Also not helping."
"Someone has to say it."Veer shrugged.
Meera tried to breathe normally.
But her chest felt tight.Her eyes slowly lifted again toward the businessmen.
And then Ruchika suddenly grabbed her arm.
"Oh no."she said to Meera.
"What? What happened now?"Meera blinked.
Ruchika leaned closer, whispering urgently."Don't panic.Meera"
"Why would I panic?"Meera frowned.
Ruchika subtly tilted her head toward the other side of the hall.
"They're coming here."
Meera's head snapped up instantly.
Her heart almost stopped.
Omkar was walking directly toward them.And beside him Aarav.
Meera felt her stomach drop.Meera's fingers tightened nervously around the edge of her saree.Her mind raced.
Why is he bringing him here...
Why...?
Omkar and Aarav Oberoi stopped in front of the three.
For a moment... no one spoke.Ruchika glanced between the two men, clearly annoyed.Veer already became irritated .
Omkar broke the silence first.
"Well,this looks like a very serious conversation ." he said casually, slipping his hands into his pockets.
Ruchika raised an eyebrow.
"We were talking. Before you two are interrupted." she replied dryly.
"Oh? Sounds important."Omkar smirked slightly.
His gaze slowly moved to Meera.
She looked pale.Her fingers were tightly gripping the edge of her saree.
Her eyes lifted slowly.And met Aarav's.For a second the entire world seemed to stop.
Her heart clenched painfully. Her Aarav looked exactly the same.
Tall.Cold.Unreadable.Handsome . Sorry more handsome.
Only his eyes had changed.They are darker now more mature.
Here Aarav. He can see Meera more beautiful.. like a full grown up woman not a teenage anymore. In this saree she looks so beautiful..
Omkar immediately noticed the tension that.A slow smile spread across his face.
Interesting.
He stepped closer to Meera and suddenly placed his hand on her shoulder.
Meera stiffened instantly.Her body froze.
"Omkar...don't dare again." she whispered sharply.
She tried to push his hand away.
But Omkar ignored her completely.
Instead, he looked at Aarav with amusement.
"Aarav , I want you to meet someone ." he said smoothly.
Meera felt the heat rush to her face.
Embarrassment burned in her chest.
Omkar continued casually.
"This is Meera.I think you might know her."Then he added a teasing smile,
Aarav looked at Meera quietly.
His expression didn't change.Then he spoke calmly.
"Hello.I'm Aarav Oberoi."He extended his hand politely.
Meera froze.Her chest tightened painfully.
He's pretending he doesn't know me. If a boy look at her he gets jealous now other touching her he doesn't even get a emation.. Maybe The Aarav she knew change.. And why not it's almost like 6 years.
After everything...
Still she forced herself to respond.She slowly shook his hand.
"Yes... I know him . Sorry, I mean... nice to meet you."Her voice trembled slightly.
"Oh? You two are acting like strangers."Omkar raised an eyebrow.
He chuckled softly.He turned to Aarav again.
"I thought you might remember her." Omkar said to Aarav.
"Should I , Omkar?"Aarav tilted his head slightly.
Omkar smirked and said,
"Aarav... she has worked at your house since childhood. And don't Remember her?"
He looked at Meera again.
"Anyway , today she's my guest ." he said.
The words felt humiliating.Meera felt tears sting behind her eyes.
Why is he saying this in front of everyone...?
She looked down quickly.Ruchika clenched her fists.Veer's jaw tightened.But before either of them could say anything.
"Oh. I am sorry .now I remember."Aarav spoke again.He nodded slowly.
Meera looked up instantly.Her heart broke a little more.
You remember me now...?
Two days ago we talked...But now suddenly you remember?
Aarav continued calmly.
"You're the maid working in our house, Meera right?"His tone was neutral.
The word maid hung heavily in the air.
"Hey! Watch how you..."Ruchika stepped forward angrily.
But Meera quickly grabbed her arm.
"Ruchi , don't. He doesn't say anything wrong. I work there as a maid . " she whispered urgently.
She slowly lifted her head again.
Her eyes met Aarav's.For a moment... silence stretched.
Then Meera spoke calmly.
"Yes.I work there as a maid . And I do my work honestly.So there's nothing shameful about it."Her voice became steadier.
Her eyes didn't leave his.
"If you remembered that much... that's already enough ." she said again.
Because this time she didn't let him insult her again like the past. Because she is now weak teenager anymore. Who stayed quiet in every insults.
For the first time.Aarav looked slightly surprised.He hadn't expected that confidence.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
Interesting...
Omkar watched the scene with clear amusement.
"Aarav, I didn't know you had such an old connection with my guest." he said teasingly.
Aarav didn't look away from Meera.
His gaze remained fixed on her.
"Connection?That's a big word , brother." he repeated slowly.
Then he gave a small laugh.
He looked at Meera again.
"She used to run around the house as a child.Always following her mom.Carrying trays... cleaning things."His voice grew colder.
Aarav smirk and said ,
"Now she's still doing the same job.So yes... I suppose I remember."
Aarav continued casually.He tilted his head slightly.
"But I'm surprised."
"Surprised about what ?"Meera frowned slightly.
"That you're here.At a party like this." Aarav looked her up and down slowly.
Omkar raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the drama.
Aarav continued,
"Last time I saw you, you were scrubbing the kitchen floor."
Veer exploded and said,
"That's enough , sir! I think you sh...."
But Meera spoke first.
"People work.There's nothing wrong with that. And i work, i don't do any crime "Her voice was calm.
"Yes.But usually people stay in their place."Aarav smiled faintly.
The insult was sharp.
Omkar quickly stepped between them.
"Relax, relax. Guys .."
Aarav ignored him completely.His attention stayed on Meera.
"You've changed, Meera.You used to be quieter. You would barely speak." he said quietly.
"So have you.People grow up."Meera replied calmly,
Aarav studied her carefully and he
smirked again.
"Yes.But not everyone grows up into the same world."He said.
His eyes moved to her experience saree.Then to the luxurious hall around them.
"This place must feel very different from the servant quarters."
"Seriously?!"Ruchika gasped angrily at Veer.
But Meera didn't react.
"Are you done, Mr Oberoi?"she asked calmly.
"With what, Ms Sharma?"Aarav raised an eyebrow.
"With reminding everyone of my job.Or is there something else you want to say?"
She looked directly into his eyes.
Aarav looked at her for a long moment.
"People like you shouldn't be here."Then he said quietly
"And Why that, sir?"Meera's voice stayed steady.
Aarav replied calmly,"Because people here will treat you exactly the way I just did. "
A long silence followed.
"I'm not afraid of that. Or anything like that.."Then Meera said softly,
"Still stubborn."Aarav's eyes darkened slightly.
Meera replied calmly,"Still arrogant."
For a moment..
Neither of them looked away.
Years of memories.Pain.Unspoken words.Everything was hidden behind their calm expressions.
Omkar suddenly waved his hand in front of them.
"Hello?Am I invisible here?""
Neither responded.They were still staring at each other.